Greenie's gone bush

Greenie's Gone Grose Valley - Multi Day walk - Days 1 & 2

2011-06-09T09:24:00.000+10:00

It is a funny thing what adrenalin and a little bit of motivation can do. It can be great to see the result of those two coming together and what they can achieve. This post is not only about that but also my three day walk in the rugged but equally beautiful Grose Valley in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

I woke up on a warm morning in suburbia and wasn't feeling the best. I had a small head cold. With my father at the wheel of the car, I could at least relax and rest. As we approached the lower Blue Mountains I was feeling a lot worst. I was questioning myself if I should do the walk or not.

We called into the NPWS Heritage Centre at Blackheath to collect a Epirb for the trip. Somewhere between the centre and the Victoria Falls Rd car park some adrenalin must have been released. I am not sure if that happened, all I know is that I felt fine as I put the pack on at the start of the walk.

Just a few hundred metres walk from the trackhead at the carpark is the Victoria Falls Lookout. The name of the lookout should be changed as you cannot see the falls, only hear them. The drive along to the dirt road and small walk to the lookout is still worth it. There are great views here of the upper Grose Valley.

The track then goes down a well formed track and stairs. Here my father returned to the car. I hadn't noticed my pace was too quick for him, which he said later it was. Not long after this a red bellied black snake was lying on the track in front of me, it slithered into bush just of the track when it felt me coming. It didn't move from this position, so I just quickly walked passed it with walking poles in hand just in case I needed protection.

I soon arrived at Victoria Cascades where I had a bite to eat next to refreshing sound of the cool water that was crashing over the rocks.

Then it was a short walk to the top of Victoria Falls. Here you have to be careful as there no safety barriers and drop of 15 metres into the valley below.

I then walked down the hill and around the base of Victoria Falls. Here you can walk up a scree slope if you are game and stand behind the falls. I did that and recorded a video which you can see on my YouTube Channel. Here you need to be very careful with your footing as it is a long way down. On the way down I used my hiking poles like ski stocks. I wasn't careful enough and fell, cutting my hand on the rocks.

All along the track if you looked up there were great views of the cliffs of the Grose Valley. I then crossed Victoria Creek. Here the track turns from tourist track to one for more experienced walkers. The track is very muddy in places and eroded. You need to climb down a track that turns into a small muddy waterfall and scramble across a small timber plank. By 3pm I had arrived at my campsite at Burra Korain Flat. This sheltered campsite has both Victoria Creek and the Grose River available for water. I soon setup my new one person Exped Vera 1 tent. I then cooked dinner and watched the peaceful sunset on the cliffs above me. The first day was a short but rewarding day of walking.

The next day I was up and ready by 8am after a good sleep. Straight away I misplaced myself, I walked up a steep hill and soon realised that the track was going nowhere. I turned around and soon went crashing back down the hill, with one leg staying up the hill, while the other going down, almost breaking my hip. Next time I will read the track notes better! This was all within 20 metres of the campsite.
I then crossed Victoria Creek and came across two blokes that were nice and friendly and we discussed the track ahead. They only camped about 100 hundred metres from me the night before, but I never heard them during the night. I then crossed the Grose River by stepping rock to rock.

The next bit of the track was annoying more than anything else. It is covers several kilometres of undulating country. That isn't the problem, the problem was that the track isn't used much at all and I was cut to pieces. I was given some new gaiters for Christmas that come up just under the knee. I should have brought them with me instead of the pair I had that are ankle height and some lightweight gloves as well. Besides my legs being scratched all over, my arms and hands were also scratched and bleeding. By 10am it was 34 degrees in the sun and I haven't sweated that much in my life before.

I did like this track for it's scenic beauty though. There are several vantage points. If you look up you will see the sandstone cliffs of the valley. If you look down and to your left you will see in places, the Grose River. I also crossed a number of small creeks. They had a flow of nice cool running water.

Somewhere along the track I passed two young blokes with day packs. I said G'day, they however didn't return the favor. This was my last contact with people for the rest of the day. I soon stopped for a drink and had a quick bite at the intersection of Pierces Pass overlooking the river.

I walked pass the sign for the Blue Gum forest. This not only a amazing place with great stands of Blue Gums (Eucalyptus deanei) but a place that changed conservation history in the Blue Mountains and well beyond. In the 1930's during the great depression members of the Sydney Bushwalking Club raised the money to buy the area off a farmer from Bilpin who was going to clear the gums and plant walnuts. Not only did they save the area, but with the help of one of the members (Myles Dunphy) lead to the establishment of the Blue Mountains National Park.

Just before 2pm I arrived at my campsite at Acacia Flats. Although a relatively short walk, the heat was starting to take it's toll on me. I had some lunch, pitched my tent and collected water from nearby Grose River. I continued to sweat in the hot humid heat. Little flies that I had not seen before started biting at my scratched knuckes and my ears. I soon had a nap in my tent. An hour later I went back down the river and collected and filtered some more water. As the sun set I was glad that the heat was dissipating but a bit worried as the forecast for the next day was rain. I was still looking forward to the next day with a large and exciting climb ahead of me.

Walk date 10/2/11 & 11/2/11

Six Foot Track - Coxs River to Katoomba - Multi Day walk - Day 3

2010-12-28T21:20:00.008+11:00

I woke to a very cold morning, with my muscles rather stiff and sore from the last few days of walking. I had full day of walking ahead of me before I would reach civilisation and have the good and bad things that come with it. I hope you read on, to find out about the conclusion of my first multi day walk on this historic and scenic track.

There was a nice layer of ice on my tent as it was -3.3 degrees outside at sunrise. So I dressed quickly and ate a warm breakfast. I was starting to get myself into a good routine each morning. So I soon had everything packed. Then with a great big heave I had my pack on my back.

The Coxs river runs to the right of the track for the next kilometre. I passed the Six Foot Track Eco Lodge. It looked deserted. It is the only accommodation on the track. And if you ask me, it is the easy way out if you don't sleep in a tent.

The track then goes a little higher crossing a small creek. Then you arrive a the Bowtell's Swing Bridge. The bridge was built by the Royal Australian Engineers in 1992. Before that the only way to cross the river was back at camp where I started the day. Here I took my pack off and put my trekking poles on the side of the pack to help make a safer crossing of the bridge. Back on with the pack, hands about to take hold of the railings, then Beep Beep, Beep Beep. The peacefulness of the birds and the water flowing over the rocks below was replaced by my mother wondering where I was!

At both ends of the bridge there are signs warning about only one person on the bridge at one time. Walking slowly across the bridge you can see why. With the extra weight of my pack, the slightest movement either left or right made you feel like you were going to go over the side.

The river flows to the left of the track. The track for next 7 kilometres travels along undulating country. Here you can see parts of the original six foot wide tracks. Occasionally there are markers that are used for a historic study of the track. I liked this part of the track as it would have been more like the track in the 1880's and not like the wide fire trail that I walked on the days before.

The warm July sun was starting to get to me in the open privately owned farmland that that track goes through. The hill started to feel like it was the steepest of the day. Maybe it was, then maybe just three days of walking was just getting to me. I then came to the 10k marker. This put a huge smile on my face.

Then a fine view of the sandstone escarpment of Katoomba appeared. A group of walkers who nicely offered to take a photo of me. It felt a bit strange talking to people after not doing so for so long.

For the next little while the track goes through fertile farmland with more great views of the cliffs of the Blue Mountains. Here the people that had just taken my photo took off at a cracking pace, while me being a lot younger walker, walked at a much gentler pace. After crossing one unbridged creek and another bridged creek I was on a dirt road, which is used to access a number of property's.

After walking along the dirt road with a creek off to the side I came to the Megalong cemetery. The old bush cemetery is the final resting place for earlier generations of European settlers. I had a quick look and then stopped for a late lunch.

While having lunch a bee decided have a rest my shoulder. Being allergic to their bite I quickly brushed it off. Well I presumed so. On the way back after walk in the car I discovered a sleepy bee on me again!!

I then crossed a sealed road and a fence. Walking through bush then farmland again, then crossing Mitchell Creek I passed two other walkers doing the track in the opposite direction.

Soon a taxi passed me. It was hard but I manage to control myself and not call for a lift! A bit up the road I had friendly wave from the passenger that was just in the taxi. Further up the road the friendly gentleman caught up with me. It turned out that he was the owner of historic Megalong Village that I was about to pass. Today it is just used for his horses, but from about 1885 to 1905 used as a overnight stopover for those on their journey on the Six Foot Track. Here I was lucky enough to see a wombat.

The road/fire trail then ends. Here the track starts to climb. It goes through Nellie's Glen which is an area of rainforest. Looking up I could just see the cliffs above. Reading the map the track look like it was going to get very steep, but I kept walking and it did not get steep. Then I crossed a creek with a waterfall to the side. I was wrong, I came to a staircase. It seemed like an endless staircase. The humidity felt like 100%. My legs were getting tired. I was low on water. But I had to keep on going. Then appeared a man, a great man, it was my father!

Not long after this the stairs ended, and we came to Norths lookout.

The track then goes a few hundred metres up a hill and comes to a gate with a Six Foot Track sign. Here I met my mother. There is a little shelter here with information about the track.

The track officially ends a few hundred metres up the road at the explorers tree. The tree was marked by the three explorers, Wentworth, Blaxland and Lawson when they were the first white men to cross the mountains in 1813.

My parents wanted to drive me to end. But no way was I going to do that. I was going to walk the very last steps of the 45 kilometre track. And I did! I completed the track I had wanted to walk since I was 12 years old.

This walk is dedicated to memory of Richard Laws

A great bloke. Who if he had a half a chance would had done this walk and spread the news of this adventure.

Walk date 23/7/10

Six Foot Track - Black Range to Coxs River - Multi Day walk - Day 2

2010-09-10T22:26:00.009+10:00

The second day my walk would be one of ice, 24k's of walking, a 4WD track, great views, creek crossings, wild animals and not so wild animals. The second day certainly would be an interesting one.

I woke alone at the Black Range campsite. It was just above 0 degrees Celsius in the tent and -2.2 outside with a layer of ice on the tent. So I got quickly dressed and made myself a warm breakfast. With lots of layers on I was nice and warm outside the tent. Not wanting to get my gloves wet I decided to pack up without them. This was a big mistake. When folding up the icy tent, it was like a thousand pieces of broken glass cutting in to my fingers.

It was half past eight and I was on the track. I came to intersection with tracks heading in all directions, I took the track east. This area is full of pine trees ready to be cut down and other areas full of cleared trees. The park ranger passed me in his 4wd doing his morning inspection of the park.

Not long after this I was back in the natural forest. The walking here is very easy, with a slight downhill decline. There a few side tracks so the map is very easy to follow. Here I notice the puddles on the track no longer frozen and no frost remaining on the ground. I soon had to take off layers of clothing. Here there are only glimpses of the steep valleys below on either side of the fire trail. The Kanangra-Boyd National Park is on the left of the track and state forest on the right. After about 6 K's of walking the park ranger stopped and made sure I was OK.

After 10.5 K's of walking I came to an intersection. There is a rain gauge not far from here, though I didn't see it. I stopped here for a few moments and had some morning tea. The track now becomes steeper. The start of the day I was at the attitude of around 1200 metres, now around 900 metres and by the end of the day it would be a bit over 300 metres, so lots of downhill walking ahead. Here I was thankful for having my new walking poles, with parts of the track feeling like I was walking on ball bearings, they saved me from falling many times.

There were good views of the Megalong Valley in the distance. I would be walking through the valley the next day. I could hear a waterfall off in the distance. Soon I came to a sign mentioning the waterfall and river. A quick look at the map and I decided to go down this track as it didn't look too far on the map. It turned out to be much longer! This track is badly eroded by 4wd's. Thankfully it is kept to this track from what I saw. The track goes down into a steep valley. I arrived at a campsite and river crossing.

I was now regretting going down this track. As it was very hard work going back up to the Six Foot Track. This added an extra 40 minutes to my walk. It was then more downhill walking. I then had to cross two small rivers. Somewhere here I passed the remains of the historic Dwyers Hut. With the recent rain there was no way to across the rivers without walking through the water. My supposedly waterproof shoes were not waterproof and my socks were a little wet for the rest of the day. I passed one campsite and then had a late lunch near the Alum Creek camping ground.

The track then goes up hill, up the Mini Mini Saddle. There again is track erosion, but not from 4wd's but from Trial Bikes. My legs were starting to get the better of me, payback for the walking the 4wd track earlier.

Soon the track goes downhill again, on its way to the Cox's River. There are great views of the Megalong Valley and the escarpment of the Blue Mountains.

With the last of the breathtaking views gone for the rest of the day I passed the historic fenced yards of the Kyangatha homestead. Without any signage they are hard to make out. The only way to know is that the trees are different to others in the area. There was now only 4.5 K's until the campsite from here. This part of the track is used frequently by the local cattle.

As I walking I heard a noise just off the track. I looked up and my eyes focused on a wild pig. It grunted. I just kept walking, knowing the damage one of these animals could cause. Walking quickly I covered the last kilometre in record time.

Arriving the Coxs River camping group I had a quick look around. Here is the traditional crossing of the river for the Six Foot Track. There is also the historic O'Reillys and Dysons Hut's.

While setting up my tent, which had ice still on it from the morning, I could hear what I thought to be a group of loud teenagers. It turned out to be a young calf trying cross the river and catch up to its group. I also had a cow watching me the whole time I was putting the tent up. It looked like it would charge me at any moment. I then had a nice warm dinner while listening to a wild dog howling off in the distance.

With the temperature fast approaching zero, I got into my tent and stayed there until morning. Not long after I closed my eyes I heard a car. It may have been the park ranger, as it circled the tent and left. I again was going to need the sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a shorter walk, but was going to have as much climbing as the first day of the walk.

Walk date 22/7/10

Six Foot Track - Jenolan to Black Range - Multi Day walk - Day 1

2010-08-11T23:27:00.007+10:00

The Six Foot Track follows an old bridle trail that was built in the 1880's to transport tourists by horseback to Jenolan Caves from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The walk is 45 kilometres in length over a variety of terrain, including mountains, farmland and a river crossing. Some of my family and friends thought I was a bit crazy doing such a walk solo in the middle of winter, where the temperature drops below zero at night. With my food and home strapped to my back and lots of up hill walking, I hope you will enjoy finding out about my adventure on the Six Foot Track.

I arrived the day before at Katoomba to pick up my EPRIB and stayed the night in a pub a Blackheath. Here I had a hearty steak, beer and read a motor mag by a nice warm fire place. The next morning I woke to find a nice frost outside. After breakfast I collected my lunch from a nearby sandwich shop and some fresh fruit. Backpack packed I checked out and went and waited for the bus to collect me.

The mini bus arrived. On board there were two friendly couples visiting the caves, they seemed impressed about my impending walk. The bus driver was also friendly, pointing out local points of interest. The bus trip takes about an hour to reach the caves. Along the way there is views of the area that I would be walking over the next few days. The last few k's going down a very steep and winding road, going down the side of Mt Inspiration (1076m). Here I was thinking, what was I getting myself into! as I would have to shortly walk back up the same mountain.

It was 11am, one final check of my equipment and I was off. The walk starts at a set of stairs outside the grand Caves House (Built 1898). Caves house was setup in Christmas decorations for Christmas in July celebrations.

Walking up a steep path, there were great views of Caves House and the area where tourists meet to go on tours of the caves. In the caves it is 16 degrees c all year round. So it was warmer in than out at this time of the year, as it was about 12 degrees outside this day.

Around a corner I arrived at Carlotta Arch. The huge arch is made out of limestone as is the rest of the nearby cave system. Through the arch you can see the Blue Lake. Arriving we saw a platypus in this lake. This lake is man made. Built in 1880 to run a small hydro electricity plant to supply power to light Chifley Cave. This was first cave in the world to be lit by a electric light. This was a year after that Thomas Edison had patented the long lasting incandescent light bulb and the year that Joseph Swan had his home in England to be the first in the world to be lit up by something other than candle light.

From here I left the nice path and joined the Six Foot Track proper. The track here is about six foot wide or less. The track was built six feet wide to allow two load horses to pass each other safely.
The track is very steep here and would be for the next 4 kilometres. Only a few days before I left, I picked up a pair of trekking poles. I have never used poles before, but I soon learnt how to use them from what I have learned from reading on the web and seen on YouTube. They were invaluable too me for the rest of the walk.
Soon stopping to adjust my pack I thought I heard a gun shot. But it wasn't, it was rocks falling and crashing to the ground somewhere nearby, hidden by the thick scrub. This is steep country. Soon I crossed a site of a old landslide.

This would be the last bit of original six foot wide track I would walk on for the rest of the day. The track soon meets the Mount George Fire Trail and continues along it. Here I also meet a small group of young Irish ladies and a two Aussie blokes who were about complete their Six Foot Track walk from Katoomba. This would be my last communication with humans for the rest of the day.

As I got closer to Kiaora Hill (1192m) the temperature was starting to drop to around 8 degrees c and it was only lunch time. Passing the turn off to Kiaora Hill the track starts to flatten out. Soon after I walked through the grounds of the Jenolan Caves Cottages where the local wildlife briefly took notice of a strange upright creature walking by with it's home on it's back.

The track then runs parallel to Jenolan Caves Road for the next 2 kilometres. It then crosses the road. Back onto another fire trail it goes. Here I had my lunch around 2:30 in the afternoon.

The track goes over undulating country for the next few k's crossing some large puddles on the track. On one side of the track is the Kanangra-Boyd National Park which is internationally recognised as a part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site.

Just after passing the 35k marker I arrived at half passed three at the Black Range campsite. Here I was meet by more local wildlife. I setup up camp, had dinner and had a early night. It was very quite with only the noise of the wind in the nearby pine forest. I was going to need the sleep as I could be waking up to a very cool morning and would have a long day of walking ahead.

Walk date 21/7/10

Ed Stafford - Congratulations

2010-08-10T10:36:00.003+10:00

Just want to congratulate Ed Stafford and Cho (who walked a part of the walk with him) for completing the 6760km walk along the Amazon river. He is the first person the walk the complete length of the river. It has taken him 589 days or 2 and half years to do it.

For more info go to www.walkingtheamazon.com or www.edstafford.org.

What a amazing achievement.

Well Done Ed!

Staples Lookout to Patonga via Rocky Ponds - Overnight Walk - Day 2

2010-07-27T22:47:00.004+10:00

After a hard day of walking it was good to finally to get to sleep. But it was not to be. A monster of the night was going to try to keep me awake and eat my food!

So not that long after I dozed off I was woken from a animal not far from my tent. I couldn't see what it was, so made a grrrr noise and it went away. Again it woken me, this time it was closer to the tent. Again, grrrr I yelled, and it went away again. I did this several times. One time grrrring so loudly, half asleep, I scared myself!!
I could then see the shadow of a small animal climbing up the side of my tent. Grrr, it went away. The next time I woke, it was in the inter tent. It looked at me with me looking back at it. It had a marsupial type body, but Mickey Mouse shaped ears. Grrr I went, it went, but it was back within seconds.
It was now 3am. Not wanting stay up the rest of the night, I needed a way to keep it away. So I turned on my headlamp, aimed it towards it, and the monster was gone! And did not return. I left the lamp on until day break.

Just after 6am I was woken by the noise of birds and the sounds of trains off over the hill running along Mullet Creek. I made myself a nice warm breakfast. Then packed up my gear, collected more water and I was off on my way to Patonga.

Back up the hill I lugged a pack, what seem a lot heavy than the day before. But would have been lighter with food eaten. Mostly uphill walking I arrived at a intersection. I took the track that is signposted Patonga. The track crosses a number of rocky ourcrops for the next 2 kilometres. The track is quite well signposted. A lot better than the track I remember as a teenager. There is a good view of Mt Wondabyne, Woy Woy, Dillon's Farm and the Bahai temple at Terrey Hills on the other side of the Hawkesbury river.

Off the track I noticed a strange pile of rocks. So I decided to take a closer look. Someone had made a large snake out of some large rocks. I am sure when Google updates their satellite imagery you will be able to see it on Google Maps.

I then walked back to the track through thick scrub. On the way down I grabbed a branch of a dead tree, which broke, I cut my leg and got thrown back on the track. It would have been a funny sight if anyone was on the track.

With the noise of a crow, and a quite awful smell I knew I was near the Woy Woy tip. The track goes down a steep hill besides the tip meeting up with a creek. Here I passed a group of about 20 day walkers. Going back up the hill I rejoined a fire trail for the next 3 Kilometres. Along the track on the right hand side there glimpses of Brooklyn and the F3 freeway.

I then crossed Patonga Drive and walked along a small track before walking along a dirt vehicular road that goes to Warrah Trig. Here I my legs were starting to get tired, this reminded me of the last time I walk this road when I was sixteen. I was also tired by this point.

I then went off track for a little bit. I came across the wrecks of two stolen cars. There also was a view of Box Head at Bouddi National Park.

I then went to Warrah Trig Station and down stairs to Warrah Lookout, on the way looking at filtered views of Pearl Beach to my right. I arrived at the lookout, took in the breathtaking views of Palm Beach, Hawkesbury river and the hamlet of Patonga. This has to be one the best lookouts on the Central Coast.

I then joined a fire trail, then a track that goes down a steep track downhill. There were again great views.

The track then comes out on Dark Corner, which is at the eastern end of Patonga Beach. I then walked along the sandy beach. The walk was complete when I reached the wharf. I was happy to complete this walk. I now felt that I was ready for my multi-day walk that was coming up soon and that you will be able to read about.

Walk date 18/6/10

Staples Lookout to Patonga via Rocky Ponds - Overnight Walk - Day 1

2010-07-12T22:34:00.008+10:00

I had stayed by myself overnight at Rocky Ponds when I was sixteen years old. This time I was carrying a heavier pack, I wasn't as fit, it was a lot colder and a monster of the night tried to eat my food. With a over 18 kilo's on my back, if I fell backwards I could be stuck in the middle of the bush, looking like a turtle with it's shell to the ground. Read more to see if such a thing happens.

With my father leaving me at Staples Lookout I walked down Woy Woy Rd and started to walk down Thommos Trail like a I did a few weeks before. 1.85Km's down the track I left the Great North Walk that goes Girrakool to the right and I went to the left on the fire trail. As the track went up hill I started to really notice the extra weight on my back. I then left the fire trail and went a across a bush track that goes across several large rock platforms. Here there is a good views of Mt Wondabyne.

At the end of the track I meet another fire trail. This one is used to service the Sydney to Newcastle railway line at Mullet Creek. I headed east along this trail instead of using the track that almost goes to the top of Mt Wondabyne and back down. Arriving at the intersection of another fire trail I went south.

The trail winds up the hill crossing a small creek passing the track that comes down from Mt Wondabyne to the right. Soon I arrive at a intersection, with Dillons Farm track straight ahead and Rocky Ponds fire trail to the right. On the Rocky Ponds trail on the left there are views of the valley which contains Patonga Creek. Soon I arrived at a rocky outcrop just off the track with views of the railway line running along Mullet Creek.

Further along the trail I stopped under a tree for my lunch. A couple of walkers passed me here. This was the last human contact I had for the rest of the day. I was soon was where the trail turns into a track. I was within a kilometre of Rocky Ponds, but instead I decide to go down a trail to Patonga Creek for a bit of a look. I hadn't been down this trail before. There is a nice creek that runs near the track. It look like a good place to cool off in summer.

Just after taking the above photo I slipped and fell backwards. For a moment I did feel like a turtle, stuck on my back. After a small struggle I manage to lift me and the pack back up.

I soon crossed the creek. Again there was a nice sandy spot to cool off in the heat of summer. Up the hill I went. The track here is the remains of a old fire trail. It is quite eroded and in places hard to walk on due to small broken rocks. Most of the way is down hill, steep in places. Arriving at Patonga Creek it was relief to take my pack off and look over to the oyster leases on the peaceful creek.

With the pack on my back again, I headed back up the hill. This time it was 3 times as steep as when I walked down it! This little trip added almost 1 hour and half extra and 2 km's more to the walk.
I arrived at the Rocky Ponds Track. It goes mostly down hill. It also is very eroded. Much more than the last time I had walked it. In fact the first time I went to Rocky Ponds in the late 80's there was a stolen car burnt out sitting at the top of the Rocky Ponds falls, there is no way that could be done today due to condition of the track.
Arriving a Rocky Ponds I had a quick look at the ponds then setup my tent, sleeping and cooking gear. I then went for a walk exploring the falls and ponds. I then treated my water to purify it and went back to camp for dinner.

After listening to footy on the radio I soon went to sleep. But I was woken in the night several times by a wild animal trying to get into the tent which was lent to me by a workmate. I will soon write about this and the rest of the walk ahead very soon.

Walk date 17/6/10

Staples Lookout to Girrakool after a good downpour

2010-06-30T21:58:00.041+10:00

So I was back, on my way to Girrakool. This time I was chasing waterfalls. The sun was shining and I was hoping that there would be plenty of waterfalls. The previous few days there had been an over hundred and thirty millimetres of rainfall. This was due a large low that picked up lots of moisture from unusually warm coastal waters. I was hoping not to get very wet feet, pick up any leeches and see lots of water. Let’s see how I go.

I parked my car at Staples Lookout which is just off Woy Woy Rd. Staples Lookout was named after Charles L Staples, who was councillor, presidents of many organisations such as the local surf club, land developer and even the local coroner. Here there is a good view across to Saratoga, Woy Woy and Umina.

I walked down Woy Woy Rd and crossed it a short distance away. I was then on the Thommos Trail. I soon met a man pushing his bike up the hill. He gave me advice on how to cross the creek below Kariong Brook. Kariong Brook was as far as I intended to go. But knowing other people were out here for the same reason, it inspired me to go all the way to Girrakool. Here I rang my mother to arrange transport back to my car. She warned me of leeches, landslides and impending doom. Not letting it get me down, I left the Thommos Trail and was on the Great North Walk heading down to the falls.

As I walked down the hill I heard the noise of a waterfall. This waterfall is off track. I tried to bush bash my way to it. I made about 20 metres in when I turned back due the bush being too thick and angry bull ants I disturbed. As I got closer the falls, the hairs started to stand up on the back of my neck. A bit like the first time I was on the top of Mt Panorama and heard the sound of V8's roaring up the mountain. Instead this time it was the sound of water roaring.

I made my way down stairs under a rock overhang and then it appeared. The waterfall of Kariong Brook. What a sight it was. A totally different waterfall to that I had seen the last time.

The track below it was cut by the creek. I waded across to a small bit of dry land, unzipped the lower legs of my pants off and took my socks & shoes off. I entered the cold cold water and got as close as I could to falls to take some photos.

Leaving my shoes off, I cross another part of the creek where the track normally went. The water tried to push me off my feet, but I didn't let it. I dried off and put my gear back on. Up a hill and down a hill I arrived at Myron Brook. Upstream it was quite and peaceful like the last time I visited it. Downstream it was no longer a little trickle, but a raging creek, that made it harder to cross.

Heading up the hill to the Gosford Rifle Range service trail, I passed a number of little waterfalls. I also heard two larger falls that would have been a few hundred metres away. Mapless I decided not to try and find them. The track here was quite dry considering the amount of rain that had just fallen. 2.5 Km's later I arrived at the service trail. Not far down the track there is a large rock platform with views down to Mooney Mooney Creek.

I walked along the service trail for the next 2.5 Km’s. I then came to a intersection, with the service trail going to the Rifle Range and the Great North Walk going to Girrakool.

Along the sandy track, the only marks in the sand were that of small animals and my boots. The track then goes up Scopas Peak. Here there are good views of Mt Wondabyne and you can see the Baha'i Temple at Terry Hills in the far distance. Going down Scopas Peak I could hear another waterfall off in the bush. Without more walking through thick scrub it was off my waterfall list for the day. The track then crosses another large rock platform covered with lots of moss and lichen.

Off to the right you can see across to the Rifle Range complex. Further along there are views down to Mooney Mooney Creek. The track then goes up hill. Through the bush there are good views down to the new Mooney Mooney bridge.

Walking downhill the track is quite eroded in places, with parts of the track having small streams of water running down it. I soon came to a small tributary, with lots of water flowing. Then back up hill and down again. Here I joined the Girrakool loop track.

I walked down and had a quick look at Piles creek and then walked towards Girrakool. Soon arriving at Rat Gully. The water here was flowing strongly. There is a lookout here of the falls but they are obstructed by trees. So I went off track down a steep hill to get a closer look.

The journey back to Girrakool was a wet, slippery and boggy one. I passed a young family. With one of them wearing only thongs! Arriving at Girrakool I did all of the tracks near the picnic area, adding about 2 kilometres to my walk. This included two more water falls.

I soon left the park and meet my lift back to the car. The walk was only going to be a short one; it turned out to be double the length that I planned. But it was well worth the extra steps taken.

Walk date 4/6/10

Girrakool - Mooney Mooney - Somersby Loop

2010-05-23T21:29:00.011+10:00

It had only been a fortnight, but the beauty of Girrakool had drawn me back again. This would be my longest walk so far. Mostly uphill walking. Would I make the full distance or would I call a taxi or maybe hitchhike? Read on to find out.

I thought I would take advantage of what felt like an endless summer and took a Friday off work. I arrive at Girrakool and set off at 8:30am. This time I went down the eastern side of Piles creek opposed to last time when I went down the western and came back via the eastern. I soon stopped to get my feed of sweet nectar from Banksia’s. I found it quite addictive and this started to slow me down. With about a half an hour of walking I arrived at the bridge to cross Piles creek.

Crossing the creek the track soon passes a campsite with remains of a campfire. The track is almost dead flat for the next few kilometres. The track has Piles creek to its left with mangroves on the side with larger stands on the other side of the creek. To the right of the track there are small cliffs and sandstone boulders. Some of these small cliffs contain small caves and possibly Aboriginal artwork?

Just under 2 kilometres down the track Piles creek and Mooney Mooney creeks meet, with the Mooney Mooney the larger of the two. Soon I came to the old Mooney creek bridge. This bridge was constructed by the Main Roads Board and opened in 1930 and is still used today. The old Pacific Highway crosses it. As you can see from the photos below and above, the weather was terrible but I needed to press on.

I crossed the old bridge and started walking down Karool Road which follows the creek on its southern side. Along this road there are a few houses in the bush. The noise of the F3 freeway above on the new Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge started to get louder. The bridge is made up of twin cantilever bridges with a small gap in between. It rises 75 metres above the creek, making it the highest road bridge in Australia. It was opened in December 1988 by PM Bob Hawke, on a hot summer’s day. I remember this as I was there.

After going under the new bridge the track soon comes to Y intersection. I mis-read my track notes here. Instead of going left I went right. This track followed the creek closer but included long grass that could be a good place for snakes to hide. I passed the pile of bricks and old water tanks that could have belonged to an old farm house. The track soon became untraceable. After a bit of bush bashing I soon found the firetrail that I should have been on.

To my right Mooney creek and Floods Creek meet. Floods creek upstream is home to Somersby falls. Which I will come to later in my walk. I then came across Alastair's campsite and what would be a good spot for fishing. The track then crossed a few creeks. The track started to climb here. Something it would do for the next 8 or so kilometres. Then the track passed the larger Nigel's campsite. Here a previous camper left me two day old newspaper to read on a cold campfire.

The creek starts to get thinner here. The track also gets a bit steeper. Most of the track so far there has been the noise of birds; here they get louder in the most remote location of the walk. That sound is soon overtaken by the sound of water running. Here the track crosses Mooney creek over a rock platform. I do a bit of exploring here. There is a nice waterfall and at its base there is a nice waterhole. It would be nice place for a swim if I could have found a way down. There are also nice large pools of water. The creek is a peaceful place with waterlily’s living in the calm water surrounded by the temperate rainforest.

A further one kilometre up the track I arrived at the Lower Mooney Creek Dam. This dam was built in 1937 and may be still used to supply water to the Somersby treatment works on the plateau above. After a small look around I continued on. The track here was used to build and maintain the dam. It is now in disrepair. As the track clings to the hillside there are some cliffs and may be some caves that I could see through the rainforest.

Soon I came to the intersection of the Great North Walk and the track to Somersby Falls. I walked towards the falls. Here the track goes through think stands of Banksia's, this time I decided not to have feed of nectar due to many Bee's and my allergic reaction to their sting. Last time I walked on this track over 15 years ago the bush was a lot thinner. I remember this section due to a long Red-bellied Black Snake crossing my path in front of me, with my Father and Sister being oblivious to it, walking in front of me. It was at least 2 metres long and 15 centimetres round.

The track then comes to an area with private property on each side. One property had a large pile of timber that look like it was ready to be set alight. It would be soon obvious for what it was used for. The track soon ended. Crossing a barbed wire fence I was on a dirt road. On the road were shells, for what I thought was remains of an aboriginal midden. But there were too many for a midden and they were all oyster shells. Then I put two and two together. The timber I had seen was used as racks for oyster farming.

The road which part of it is private passes a number of large houses and a horse training track. It goes over a small creek and comes to a four way intersection. Here I saw Parks & Wildlife officers shooting local wildlife, with their large lens camera. This was the first human contact I had on the walk. It then crosses a nice causeway over Floods creek.

Arriving at the Somersby Falls picnic area I sat down for the first time in many hours and had lunch. Somersby Falls is great place for a picnic with a short walk down well kept stairs to the falls and another short walk to the lower falls. This time I didn't walk down to the falls. I have been here many times before, including one year we spent Christmas day there. The photo below is taken about a month before.

The walk then leaves the National Park. Trying to save time I followed a shortcut on my map. I should have followed the track notes. I came to fence with a private property sign with a badly drawn picture, of a man with a drawn shotgun. I turned around. This added almost 2 kilometres to the walk. Feeling dejected I walked up a steep road. My feet were starting to dislike the hard road surface. Where possible I walked on the softer side off the road.

The roads go through a rural area with some industrial as well. It passes the Australian Reptile Park and the now closed Old Sydney Town. Here my legs were starting to hurt. I then crossed the old Pacific highway. Then I went under the F3 freeway via a road tunnel. I then arrived at Girrakool. 7 hours of walking over 20 kilometres I was tired, but would I visit the area again. I sure would. I invite you to log off your computer and go and explore this great country of ours.

Walk date 7/5/10

Girrakool - Piles Creek Loop

2010-05-03T22:14:00.022+10:00

In an autumn afternoon that felt more like a summer one, I arrived at Girrakool with a mate. Girrakool is about 7 kilometres west of Gosford and located within the Brisbane Water National Park. Girrakool means "place of still waters" in Aboriginal. With lots of water, food and shelter I could imagine it being a spiritual place for the aboriginals. Although I didn't see them this time, not far from the entry to the park there is an engraving of Man and a Kangaroo.

It is also important place for me. As a child we had many picnics here with my family and relatives. So even though I hadn't been here for a long while, the memories came flooding back. No picnic was ever complete here without venturing into the bush. So this is one reason I have a love for the Aussie bush.

Soon after chatting to a park ranger and passing a picnic area we headed down the hill and arrived at Broula lookout, which means place of tricking water. It overlooks Piles creek. Upstream is place of the tragic accident that occurred in the floods of June 2007.

Just a bit further down the hill we arrived at the Illoura Lookout, meaning peaceful place, which is it. There is a waterfall to the left and below the creek with its clear water flowing over sandstone. Soon after we crossed Leask Creek, further upstream is dammed, it makes the artificial cove that is a replication of Sydney Cove at Old Sydney Town. Not long again, another lookout, this one is called Bundilla. Here there a good view of the waterfall.

Piles Creek follows the track to the left and the hill on the right rises and blocks the sound of the F3 freeway above. The track gently falls and meets the creek then rises again meeting large caves. The track is quite wet in places with water slowly dripping onto it from above. This side of the track receives a lot less sunlight compared to that of the eastern side. There are a few small pockets of rain forest along the track. There then is a another cave to peruse.

The track then comes to a steep decline, with a handrail that is broken in places. At the bottom of this hill the track comes to an intersection. Off to the right the track goes to Mooney Mooney Creek and beyond. To the left is Piles Creek and the remains of a old walk bridge which I remember as a child. Just right of it is the nice new suspension bridge. It isn't likely to get washed away in hurry like the last few did.

This was about the halfway point of the walk of this 4.1 Kilometre walk. We then headed up hill passing the turn off for the track that goes to Patonga and Wondabyne. Soon crossing a gully called Rat Gully, thankfully we see no rats in this rainforest gully. I remember thirstily collecting water from this creek when in Scouts. This time it was quite dry. After heading further up the hill we came to a large boulder with a cave with honeycomb like sandstone and rocky cut-out in it.

Soon there is a lookout high over Piles Creeks with views below and across to hills to be climb another day. The track then passes the unmarked track that goes to Scout Camp Kariong. It then goes through a large rock overhang. We then arrived on rocky outcrop that was above the waterfall previously mentioned. Crossing concrete steeping stones over Piles Creek we then pass Illoura Lookout again and walk back up the hill to the car.

Walk date 23/4/10

Three days in the Blue Mountains - Day 3

2010-03-31T22:42:00.009+11:00

Day 3

After a wet and blustery night I woke early for what would be a long day, with a 11 hour walk over 16 kilometres. Trying not to wake anybody in nearby tents, I had breakfast and put on my wet weather gear. At 7am I left the park walking through fog that was so thick that it blocked out the rising sun, so much so that I considered turning on the torch. I crossed the road and started my journey by going down the 860 steps that make up the Furber Stairs. In the darkness of the rainforest there was a nice waterfall to the left of the track to stop and look at. It was too wet and dark to get a decent photo of it. Further down the steps there are number of lookouts with views up to the Kedumba falls and in the distance the three sisters Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo trying to peak through the fog. Going down the stairs my hands started to freeze on the cold metal railings, I had to rub them together to keep them warm. At the bottom of the stairs the track meets up with the Federal Pass, which makes its way from the bottom of the Three Sisters in the east. Heading in a westerly direction I soon arrived at the bottom of the scenic railway, scenic cableway, and coal cart and coal mine. Normally packed full of tourist, I had it all to myself. An interactive map of the area is here.

The bottom scenic railway platform. The steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world.

Passing a number of old mine shafts the track follows the route of the old rail line that was used to haul the coal and shale back up the hill. The area was mined from the 1870's to turn of the century. With the cliffs poking through the fog above me I soon reached the site of the landslide. The massive landslide that occurred in the 1930's was thought to be cause by previous mining and several days of heavy rain. The vegetation in the area is still quite bare compared to the surrounding area, with rainforest on both sides. After some tricky rock hopping and sliding, I was through.

Sorry if this scares you.

Back into the rainforest I walked. The track here is quite flat as it follows the course of what would have been a railway line used for mining. As I am walking a guy comes running by, for his morning run. After quick "Good Morning" he was gone into the mist. He would be first and last human I would see for a while. The rainforest is quite nice through this part. Even thought the arms of my old gortex jacket were leaking a little I was quite warm from the walking. It was 11.3 degrees when I left the tent earlier. I soon scared a poor lyrebird. There were a number of little birds that I had seen by this stage. To my left I passed the intersection of the track that I would take on my return trip.

I then walked another 2.67 kilometre passing a small old brick wall that is now used as a campsite and I then sent a wallaby bouncing off into the bush. I then walked and climbed up the rough track that takes you up to the ruined castle. Almost at the top of the hill that contains the rocks that make up the ruined castle I meet a man that sounded German with a large pack. With a quick G’day he was off. Here there was a good view up to Castle Head and the cliffs of the south west area of the Jamieson valley.

I soon reached a rocky outcrop. I thought that this was the ruined castle. It wasn't. It was a few hundred metres along the ridgeline. The ruined castle is made up of several large boulders. I wanted to climb it, but with no assistants and with my short legs I decided not to risk it. Maybe next time. On a sunny day there are great views across to the landslide, the Three Sisters and around to Leura. I could only see fog bound cliffs. I then walked, skipped and grabbed onto trees going down a very steep hill. On the very last step of the steep part of the track I slipped and landed hard on my backside. Checking around to see if anyone was laughing I pressed on. The track then heads up and over a small hill with a few campsites on either side.

A part of the Ruined Castle

The track then went up the hill. The track was quite wide as there are many tracks that combine into one big eroded track. Then I meet the Koorowall Knifedge. It is the ridge that takes you up to Mt Solitary. It is a very steep and thin track. There is a large drop on either side in the valleys below. This was the most mentally challenging track I have done. To get me up it I pictured the tourist at Echo Point looking across the valley at me, using their binoculars, cheering me on. There was a spot every now again on rocky ledges to admire the view. After clinging on using tree branches and sandstone I finally reached a flat part of Mt Solitary. Although this wasn’t the true top of the mountain, I was happy that I had reached a mountain that I wanted to climb since I was a young boy. It took me about half an hour to climb. I had lunch here. I then started my decent.

The south west of Mt Solitary

Koorowall Knifedge

Castle Head with the Ruined Castle in the forground

Reaching the bottom of the walk below the hill that contained the ruined castle. I pass several more campsites, some quite large. I was now back on the track that was nice and flat, easy walking through the rainforest. This area was where the search for British backpacker Jamie Neale took place July last year. I found this interesting in such an area.
I then turned off to the Golden Stairs track. This track goes up to the Narrow Neck Plateau. With the metal staircases being in good condition and what was left of timber steps being in terrible condition, it made me wonder if there will be an accident here soon. There are places with large drops without railings and only broken wire to hold onto. I soon passed three young European guys in sandshoes that were totally inappropriate for such a wet muddy track.
Once reaching the top of the stairs and onto the narrow neck the thick fog came in. It had be clear since going up to Mt Solitary. With nothing but fog to look at, I put on the radio and walked back to park via scenic world.

With walking for just over 9 hours I was tired but my legs weren't that sore however. I just had to remove a few leaches. After of four days of exercise I had done it!

If you have an interest in this walk the track notes are here

Three days in the Blue Mountains - Days 1 & 2

2010-03-14T21:16:00.013+11:00

Day 1

I arrived at my campsite at Katoomba Falls Caravan Park in the warm afternoon of the 27th February 2010. I quickly put up my tent. By this time I was exhausted and struggling to stay awake. It wasn't from putting up a tent, but from spending the last 2 days helping a friend move house lifting heavy furniture, fridges Et cetera. I had a workmate to meet me shortly who was going to walk with me the next day, so to get myself energised again I decided to go for a short walk.

Without a map I just followed the nearby creek which flowed behind the caravan park. I then crossed the road going into a nice park full of picnickers. Going down some stairs I arrived at the Kedumba cascades. Kedumba is the Aboriginal word 'Kedumba' meaning 'shiny, falling waters' and so they were. Crossing the stream on steping stones the walk soon comes to a nice lookout with views across the Jamison valley and the scenic skyway above. The walk follows the Prince Henry walk which starts at Echo point. I then visited a number of scenic lookouts including the Plateau Lookout and Tunnel Lookout. From these lookouts there are views across the Jamison valley to Mt Solitary, the Three Sisters, the Ruined Castle and Orphan Rock. I then followed the track until it reached Scenicworld. After a look around there I went back to a intersection, then down some metal stairs to small lookout with a great views back across to Kedumba Falls. I then retraced my steps back via the top of Furber Steps which would be the start of my walk on day 3. The walk then finished at the Katoomba Falls Kiosk.

I then met my workmate. After the walk and a pizza I was energised and ready for the next day of walking.

Day 2

After a nights rest we went across the road and did some of the walk mentioned above. We then drove to the Conservation Hut at Wentworth Falls. We had a hearty (as in bad for the heart) breakfast there. But this was soon to be burnt off. We followed these track notes. We walked down the hill until we reached a metal staircase and into the valley of waters. We then passed Empress and Lodore Falls. A new layer of sandstone was revealed since the last time I visited these falls last year. The powerful force of water had removed the sandstone when 112ml's of rain had fallen in less than 2 hours on the 6th of February.

The track then comes to the intersection of Wentworth pass, which is followed for a little while. We then came to the Vera fall track, which we followed. After going through rainforest for a while and scaring a bush turkey, we had to cross valley of waters creek. This proved quite difficult as the only way of crossing was by going over large boulders that were very slippery and covered in moss. Not long after this we came to an intersection, where we stopped for a break. There was a small track here that we thought went nowhere. So we continued. It turned out that this track did go to Vera Falls! So this is a walk that will have to be revisited sometime.

Heading further down the hill we could hear lots of running water, so we went down a little used track. Here the valley of waters creek and Jamison creek's meet. There is a small waterhole here. My workmate then sent the local wildlife scattering off in all directions by going skinny dipping here.

We then walked up hill on a track that in parts was hard to locate. The Jamison creek was to our left for next kilometre. With a steep walk we reached the Hippocrene Falls. These falls are quite large and have a large waterhole at the bottom of them. Not happy with his prevous efforts, my workmate also went skinny dipping here also.

The track notes have you returning here, instead we headed towards the National Pass. This added another kilometre or so to the walk. Going pass the falls uphill on a rough track my strap on my pack decided to break. Using our bush mechanic skills we repaired it using a piece of string. I then sewed it up when I got back to the tent later that day. We left the intersection of the Wentworth pass to our left and continue on. Then we arrived at the bottom falls, of Wentworth falls. A young family was having their lunch here. Maybe this stopped my workmate from having a third swim? Then we started going up Slack Stairs. The stairs start by climbing a rope, and then are followed by going up a series of metal ladders, some with a cage on the outside. There were great views of the valley while climbing. You wouldn't want to be afraid of heights here.

After reaching the top of the stairs we went to the middle falls, of Wentworth Falls. Then back to conservation hut along the National Pass route. I had walked and blogged about the National Pass last year. Along this section we went pass Empress Falls again. Here we stopped to watch a group abseiling down the falls.

Then it was back up the hill and to the hut and cars. The five hours of walking finally caught up to me, I really struggled to walk up the last 50 or so steps. As I got into my car it started to rain. It got me thinking, what would the weather be like tomorrow and would my body hold out for the 11 hours of walking? You will find out when I blog about it soon.

Day Walk Gear - Part 1

2010-02-18T21:36:00.002+11:00

Being a scout in my younger years I have tried to follow the motto "Be Prepared". So with that I try to make sure the gear is safe, reliable, light and is low in cost or free!

So let’s start with the safe stuff things first.

So the most important gear I carry with me is a first aid kit. It will hopefully won't be used much. It is a kit put together from a popular outdoors store. In it is:
1 x triangular bandage non-woven
1 x roll conforming elastic gauze bandage 5cm wide
1 x roll rigid tape 2.5cm x 5cm
10 x band-aid strips/plasters
2 x fabric dressing 10cm x 6cm
2 x cleansing wipes
1 x splinter probe
1 x pair of scissors
1 x pair latex gloves
1 x emergency information booklet

I have also added Stingose Gel and Panadol. It only weights just under 200g's. Whenever anything in it is used, it will be replaced. I just need to add a first aid course so I know how to use it properly.

The next bit of gear I carry I also plan on not using except for emergencies. It is a plastic coated aluminium emergency blanket. It is designed to keep you warm. It is also could be used to attract the attention of search and rescue. I have a small whistle also to get attention.

I have a little Uniden UHF radio. It has around 3 km range. I keep the batteries separate so they don't go flat.

For sun protection the hat I carry has a foldable brim. So it is nice and compact. I plan getting a similar hat, but one that covers my neck and ears. The sun cream I use is a sports suncream, so when I’m sweaty it doesn't get in my eyes. I have a aloe vera 30+ lip balm. I make sure that I wear a shirt with a collar that can protect my neck from the sun.

For hygiene I have a small alcohol based hand sanitiser.
For an emergency fire I have a Light My Fire Scout. I could use the hand sanitiser and cotton to start the fire.

I have my old Victorinox Swiss army knife. This can be useful for a number of things like cutting an apple to fighting off vicious bunyips.

I use Bushman Plus insect repellent. It helps to keep away the mozzies, ticks, leeches and those awful marchfiles. In areas that are home to leaches I make sure that there is plenty on my boots and gaiters.

So I don't get hopelessly lost I have a compass. It is quite fancy; it has a alarm, clock, mirror, small touch and temperature gauge. Depending on the walk I am doing, I carry a head touch. Which also can flash, to attract search and rescue.

For remote walks I will hire or pick up for free from the local police station a distress radio beacon (also known as PLB or EPIRB). If activated a signal can be picked from satellites and sent to local emergency services. Some have a GPS built into them. Which makes it easy to track down the twit that got lost.

I hope you found this useful. I will blog soon about the rest of my day walking gear.

Koolewong Ridge walk on a kool summers day

2010-02-07T22:34:00.013+11:00

It was a spur of the moment decision, but well worth it. There was rain predicted. But that wasn't going to put a damper on things. The threat of rain kept the track free from other humans. 90% of my walks so far have been the same.

I modified a walk from the 1993 edition, Bushwalks in the Sydney Region (ISBN 0 9599160 7 5). The walk in the book starts from Point Clare. Due a big hill and a house now blocking the track! I decided to start from Kariong.

On the Saturday morning (6/2/10) I set off for the 12km return walk. I parked the car on the corner of Woy Woy RD and Bambara RD. The track follows Bambara RD and goes gently down a fire trail through either privately or government owned land. For the first half of a kilometre there are plastic markers on the larger trees, these are used for an ecology study. This seems quite strange in the bush, signs marked with housing lots and fences in the bush that would have set out the boundaries for these lots.

The owner of this land had been trying since 1983 to get a development application passed through council. From what I can tell the state government bought the land and in 2005 the Kariong High School was to be built here. Due to the area being environmentally sensitive the school was built at Mt Penang, just up the road. Still the area isn't a part of the Brisbane Water National Park.

A bit over a kilometre down the track there is an intersection with Bambara RD and the Koolewong Ridge fire trail. I turned left here and headed down a steep hill that made me dance on the loose gravel. For those who have seen me dance, you can now take that thought out of your mind and think about the nice stream that flowed over sandstone that I came across. The stream had a number of small waterfalls and possible grooves from where Aboriginal’s used to sharpen their tools. I walked down to the waterfall that dropped down into the valley below. I almost lost my balance on the slippery sandstone a number of times. I found it safer to walk in the water than out of it.

The track then continues on the Kariong, I turned around here. Just after the intersection mention before there is a large rock shelf with boulders. There are views over to Saratoga and Yattalunga from here. Mention in the book above there is meant to be an engraving of a large fish. I feel the spirits of the Bungaree tribe kept it hidden from me.

The track continues to the south for the next 2km’s. To its left, running parallel there are powers lines with a separate track running underneath them. To its right is a cliff line that runs until it almost reaches Woy Woy. There a number of opportunities to duck off through the bush to see the excellent view of Brisbane Water’s and surrounds. I took a few of these. You just need to look out for spiders and their webs that are as thick as fishing line, rat or snake holes and be aware that there no safety railings on the cliff tops.

Point Clare and Gosford

Greenpoint and Kincumber Mountain (hill?!)

The track then comes to a Y junction. I went to the left. Passing a large water tower that is perched on the cliff top with a trig station on top of it and communications tower behind. The track heads down a steep hill coming out at Koolewong near Woy Woy Bridge. I stopped for morning tea about a 3rd of the way down to admire the views. Here I applied lots of 80% Diethyl meta toluamide to keep the moozies and leaches at bay.

Saratoga

I then headed back up the hill to the Y junction and turned left. I stopped at two lookouts; the first had views of Mt Wondabyne, Mt Scorpion and the village of Woy Woy Bay below. Here I gave a friendly wave to Belinda Neal. Going down the hill there were views over to Pelican Is, Reilly’s Is, Davistown, Blackwall and Bensville. The second lookout had more views of Woy Woy Bay. It also had views over Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong, Lion Is and Barrenjoey in the foggy distance.

Davistown and beyond

Woy Woy Bay

Woy Woy

I then went back up the hill pass the Y junction and back along the ridge heading towards the car. It then started to rain for a little while. Once the rain stopped I tried to find a track to the creek which makes it way down to Woy Woy bay. I had been to this creek in my teens. Since then the track has been overgrown. I found what I thought was a track, that turned out to be just an animal track. I bushed bashed my way until I came across a small cliff and turned around back to the fire trail. At the creek there are engravings depicting two men and a wallaby. Again the spirits of the Bungaree tribe kept them hidden from me.

Ok, maybe this one can't be restored

I then took another track to the left. This shortcut track has heavy overgrown scrub. In most places you can’t even see your own feet. Every 50 metres or so there are large metal poles marking the way. Some places the track completely disappears. I would not recommend this track unless you have a good off track experience and don’t mind digging bit of timber out of yourself a few days later. It crosses a nice sandstone creek. I would recommend you take the Bambara RD track instead.

A few hundred metres from the car a downpour started. It continued until I reached home.

It was an enjoyable walk. Mostly flat. Best to be done on a nice sunny day when the views would be grand.

A walk up Mount Tangy Dangy at Kangy Angy

2010-01-22T17:00:00.011+11:00

So this is the first walk of the year, what I hope will be one of many. This walk was a suggestion of my wife’s, and I am very thankful of the suggestion and encouragement to climb it.

After work yesterday (21/1/10) I drove straight to Kangy Angy and parked near a road tunnel that goes under the F3 to the farm land. The F3 freeway is cutting into the mountains western side, Kangy Angy to the south, Westfield Tuggerah to the north and the pacific highway meanders itself around the mountain to the east.

The 4km return walk starts off by heading up a steep and badly eroded road. I suspect this was the main road used to get to top in the past, but there is now a tarred road on their side of the hill that council and Telstra workers now use. The track soon meets a junction of tracks, some used for trail biking, horse riding and others that follow the powerlines over the mountain. There is another steep section, after that the track flattens out along the ridgeline passing some handmade stone walls. I'm not sure what they were used for and will endeavour to find out from the local historical society.

A fire hydrant tree?

This would have been one of the noisest walks I have done so far. From the noise of cars and trucks from both highways, freight trains to the noise of bell birds and cicadas. Oh well, just a reminder how close to civilisation I really was.

Just before the last steep bit, there is a nice vista to the south and north where the powerlines create a clearing in the bush. To the south the view is of the valley of Ourimbah and in the distance is Berry's head, Mount Mouat which is in Rumbalara above Gosford. To the north directly below is the site of the old abattoirs, to the left Mardi dam, the F3 with the Watagans and Heatons Gap off in the distance.

With just a half an hour of walking I have reached the elevation of 148 metres above sea level and the trig station on top the of the best sounding mountain I have climbed, Mt Tangy Dangy. Here there is a Telstra communications tower.

Not satisfied with the walk so far, I then headed down the steep and slippery sealed road, knowing that my legs would be hurting on the return trip back up the hill. I passed a large water tank that helps supplies water for the local area. The road then goes through private property and comes out near Tuggerah primary school. I turned around at this point.

Once reaching the top again I went down the western side until I was above the cutting of the F3. Again it was quite steep in places; I was thinking "if I slip here, I could end up on top of Woolies truck bound for Newcastle!”

A kingswood, needs a bit of work to get it back on the road again.

After reaching the top for the third time, I retraced my steeps down the hill and back to my car.
The walk took one and half hours to complete. It was a nice walk after a day being stuck indoors. It would have been nicer if there wasn't some much damage caused by fellow humans.

A year in review

2009-12-26T19:13:00.010+11:00

Another year is almost over. So I guess it is time to reflect on the walks I have done this year.
I have done about 50km’s of walking this year. Next year I plan to clock a lot more k’s on my boots.

I started the year off by walking from Crackneck lookout to Forresters beach and back again to Crackneck. This was a nice winter’s walk along the coastline.

The next walk was a return walk from the motel on Freemans drive just west of Freemans waterhole. It was a hard slog up Heaton’s gap, it then passed a large communications tower. The return point is from Heaton’s lookout, with great views from north of Newcastle to south of Tuggerah lakes.

The Wentworth loop was the highlight of the year. Leaving from and returning to Wentworth Falls station. The first few kilometres retrace Charles Darwin’s steps from when he visited Australia in 1836. This was the last year of his history changing journey on the HMS Beagle. This part of the walk follows a small but beautiful valley with a creek and many little waterfalls. The Jamison valley then opens up at Wentworth falls. The track (which changes names from Charles Darwin Walk to National Pass) crosses the falls then goes down the steep, historic, cliff hugging grand staircase. Once over the middle falls, the track clings to the cliff line passing a number of large waterfalls. Just remember to watch out for rock falls!! The track then goes up hill with a nice stop for morning tea or lunch at the conservation hut. It then follows the top of the cliff tops with lots of good views of the valley below. More info can be found here

The walk I did before Wondabyne to Woy Woy walk was the Emerald Pool circuit in the Popran National park. This walk included interesting rock formations on the 248 track and a nice waterhole at the Emerald pools. More info can be found here

So I am now looking forward to twenty ten and more bushwalking and blogging for you.
I hope you had a great Christmas and that you have a happy new year!

Greenie

Wondabyne to Woy Woy

2009-12-19T14:29:00.008+11:00

I took this Wedesday off (16/12/09) and did the walk from Wondabyne train station to Woy Woy station via Brisbane Waters National Park. Details of the walk are here. Of all of the walks I have done this year this would have been the hardest. Particularly the last few k’s on the flat. It is a 15.3km walk. I walked from about 11am to just before 5pm.

I have done a lot of this track when I was 16, with a lot heavier pack. That time I went onto Rocky Ponds where I stayed the night. With the many years that have passed, it makes me wonder how I did it then?!

I caught the train to Wondabyne and asked the train guard to stop the train at the only station that is in a national park in NSW and the only station in Australia that doesn't have road access to it. It has a very short platform.

Although it was around 29c degree there was a nice sea breeze all day long. After a short but steep walk up the hill behind Wondabyne the track heads north with the Pindar caves track off to the left. The track then goes into a valley passing Myron Brook and then there is a nice stop at Kariong Brook.

The track then heads back up a steep hill, then over rocky outcrops. Then up and over the side of Mt Wondabyne.

Mt Wondabyne

I did the optional sidewalk to the top Mt Wondabyne which has a altitude of about 220 metres so it won't be the highest mountain I plan to climb, but at least it was a good workout in the heat of the day. My 3 litres of water ran out about there..

Views of Ettalong, Bouddi national park and out to sea.

The track then gently winds down the hill passing Woy Woy tip and sewage treatment works. Sorry no photo's of these. Then on the flat through Woy Woy.

Woy Woy Bay

So would I recommend this walk. Yes, but I would recommend that they take plenty of water!

Greenie is blogging

2009-12-18T20:32:00.001+11:00

Well, this is it. I am entering a new world of blogging. Although I have been reading blogs for years, I've never had a interest in blogging.

Now that I have restarted my interest in bushwalking after too many years break from it. I thought I would share my experiences and show off some beautiful places that car loving people don't see.

Once I start writing about some interesting day and multiday walks as well as equipment feel free to comment

Stay tuned..